Two views on the deterioration of European labor market outcomes

This paper challenges the consensus view on the deterioration of European labor market outcomes relative to the United States. When looking at employment to population ratios rather than unemployment rates, I find that the deterioration begins in the mid-1950s and continues through the mid 1990s. I also present evidence to suggest that the key to understanding this deterioration is to understand why Europe has not developed a market service sector similar to the United States.